On Winning the Big Game

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Seattle Mariners 9-5 yesterday afternoon in Seattle to complete their longest road trip of the season at 5-5 and halt their most recent losing streak at 5 games after winning the previous 6. What a treat!

Daniel Cabrera (5-6, 4.71 ERA) notched the win for the O's. After a shaky start (1 run in the 1st, 3 in the 2nd), Cabrera settled in and pitched 8 innings allowing 7 hits and the 4 earned runs. Chris Ray finished up in the ninth surrendering what has become the O's bullpens' obligatory run (minimum per appearance).

After 60 games, the O's are 28-32. In 2006, they were 27-33. So, they really are better than last year!

Since declaring Danys Baez the only concern on the pitching staff, the O's embarked on a 6 game winning streak followed by a 5 game losing skid during which the bullpen puked all over the place. Oh well, I suppose I had that coming. I still expect the bullpen to get back on the beam. Strike One men, Strike One!

The Orioles are 23-4 when scoring 5 or more runs. They are 5-28 when scoring 4 or less including 0-11 when scoring exactly 4 runs. 0-11! @%&#@%&#@

The bullpen and offense both need to step up, however, the team as a whole has to figure out how to make 4 runs stand up.